Chapter 28

[TheEmperor Juliancomes out of the tent; he is pale and haggard. With him come the ChamberlainEutheriusand several officers; the latter go off over the plain to the right.

Julian.

[To the philosophers.] Rejoice, my friends! All will soon be well now.

Kytron.

Ah, gracious Emperor, have you discovered an expedient?

Julian.

There are expedients enough, Kytron; the only difficulty is to choose the best. We will slightly alter the line of advance——

Priscus.

Oh, praise be to your wisdom!

Julian.

This eastward march—it leads to nothing.

Kytron.

No, no, that is certain!

Julian.

Now we will turn northward, Kytron!

Kytron.

What, sire,—northward?

Priscus.

Not westward?

Julian.

Not westward. Not by any means westward. That might be difficult on account of the rivers. And Ctesiphon we must leave till another time. Without ships we cannot think of taking the city. It was the Galileans who brought about the burning of the fleet; I have noted one thing and another.

Who dares call this northward movement a retreat?What know you of my plans? The Persian army is somewhere in the north; of that we are now pretty well assured. When I have crushed Sapor—one battle will finish the matter—we shall find abundant supplies in the Persian camp.

When I lead the Persian king as my captive through Antioch and the other cities, I would fain see whether the citizens will not fall at my feet.

Christian Soldiers.

[Pass singing over the plain.

Doomed is the world’s proud cedar-tree,The axe shall its roots dissever;The palm He planted on Calvary,Blood-watered, shall bloom for ever.

Doomed is the world’s proud cedar-tree,

The axe shall its roots dissever;

The palm He planted on Calvary,

Blood-watered, shall bloom for ever.

Julian.

[Following them with his eyes.] The Galileans are always singing. Songs about death and wounds and pain. Those women whom I brought with me to tend the sick—they have done us more harm than good. They have taught the soldiers strange songs, such as I have never heard before.

But hereafter I will punish no one for such things. It does but lead them deeper into error. Know you, Priscus, what happened of late, in the case of those mutineers who refused to show due reverence to the imperial busts?

Priscus.

Oflate, sire?

Julian.

When, wishing to beget a wholesome dread in their companions in error, I ordered some of these men to be executed, the oldest of them steppedforward with loud cries of joy, and begged to be the first to die.—Look you, Priscus—when I heard that yesterday——

Priscus.

Yesterday? Oh, sire, you are mistaken. That happened forty days ago.

Julian.

So long? Yes, yes, yes! The Hebrews had to wander forty years in the wilderness. All the older generation had to die out. A new generation had to spring up; butthey—mark that!—theyentered into the promised land.

Eutherius.

’Tis late in the day, sire; will you not eat?

Julian.

Not yet, my Eutherius. ’Tis good for all men to mortify the flesh.

Yes, I tell you, we must make haste to become a new generation. I can do nothing with you as you are. If you would escape from the desert, you must lead a pure life. Look at the Galileans. We might learn more than one lesson from these men. There are none poverty-stricken and helpless among them; they live together as brethren and sisters,—and most of all now, when their obstinacy has forced me to chastise them. These Galileans, you must know, have something in their hearts which I could greatly desire that you should emulate. You call yourselves followers of Socrates, of Plato, of Diogenes. Is there one of you who would face death with ecstasy for Plato’s sake? Would our Priscus sacrifice his left hand for Socrates? WouldKytron, for Diogenes’ sake, let his ear be cut off? No, truly! I know you, whited sepulchres! Begone out of my sight;—I can do nothing with you!

[The philosophers slink away; the others also disperse, whispering anxiously. OnlyOribasesandEutheriusremain behind with the Emperor.Anatolus, the officer of the guard, still stands with his soldiers outside the tent.

Julian.

How strange! Is it not inconceivable, unfathomable? Oribases,—can you rede me this riddle?

Oribases.

What riddle do you mean, my Emperor?

Julian.

With twelve poor ignorant fishermen, he founded all this.

Oribases.

Oh sire, these thoughts exhaust you.

Julian.

And who has held it together until this day? Women and ignorant people, for the most part——

Oribases.

Yes, yes, sire; but now the campaign will soon take a happy turn——

Julian.

Very true, Oribases; as soon as fortune has taken a turn, all will be well. The dominion ofthe carpenter’s son is drawing to its close; we know that. His reign is to last as many years as the year has days; and now we have——

Eutherius.

My beloved master, would not a bath refresh you?

Julian.

Do you think so?—You may go, Eutherius! Go, go! I have something to say to Oribases.

[Eutheriusgoes off behind the tent. The Emperor drawsOribasesover to the other side.

Julian.

Has Eutherius told you aught this morning?

Oribases.

No, sire!

Julian.

Has he told you nothing about last night——?

Oribases.

No, my Emperor—nothing at all. Eutherius is very silent.

Julian.

If he should tell you anything, do not believe it. The thing did not happen at all as he pretends. ’Tis he who is seeking my life.

Oribases.

He,—your old and faithful servant!

Julian.

I shall keep an eye on him.

Oribases.

I too.

Julian.

We will both keep an eye on him.

Oribases.

Sire, I fear you had but little sleep last night.

Julian.

Very little.

[Oribasesis on the point of saying something, but changes his mind.

Julian.

Know you what kept me from sleeping?

Oribases.

No, my Emperor.

Julian.

The victor of the Milvian Bridge was with me.

Oribases.

The great Constantine?

Julian.

Yes. For some nights past his shade has given me no rest. He comes a little after midnight, and does not depart until the dawn is at hand.

Oribases.

The moon is full, sire; that has always had a strange effect on your mind.

Julian.

According to the ancients, such apparitions are wont——What can have become of Maximus? But their opinions are by no means to be relied on. We see how greatly they erred in many things. Even what they tell us of the gods we cannot believe without reserve. Nor what they report as to the shades, and the powers, as a whole, which rule the destinies of men. What know we of these powers? We know nothing, Oribases, except their capriciousness and inconstancy, of which characteristics we have evidence enough.

I wish Maximus would come——

[To himself.

Here? ’Tis not here that the menacing storm is drawing up. ’Twas said to be in the Phrygian regions——

Oribases.

What regions, sire,—and what storm?

Julian.

Oh nothing—nothing.

Nevita.

[Enters from the plain on the right.] My Emperor, the army is now on the march.

Julian.

Northwards?

Nevita.

[Starts.] Of course, sire!

Julian.

We ought to have waited till Maximus——

Nevita.

What mean you, my Emperor? There is nothing to wait for. We are without supplies; scattered bands of the enemy’s horsemen are already appearing both in the east and in the south——

Julian.

Yes, yes, wemustadvance,—northwards. Maximus must soon be here. I have sent to the rear for the Etruscan soothsayers; they shall try once more—— I have also discovered some Magians, who say they are well versed in the Chaldean mysteries. Our own priests are taking the omens in nine different places——

Nevita.

Sire, whatever the omens may say, I tell you we must go hence. The soldiers are no longer to be depended on; they see clearly that our only hope lies in reaching the Armenian mountains.

Julian.

We will do so, Nevita,—whatever the omens say. Nevertheless it gives one a great feeling of security to know that one is acting, as it were, in concert with those unfathomable powers who, if they will, can so potently influence our destinies.

Nevita.

[Goes from him, and says shortly and decisively.] Anatolus, strike the Emperor’s tent!

[He whispers some words to the Captain of the Guard, and goes out to the right.

Julian.

All auguries for these forty days have been inauspicious; and that proves that we may place trust in them; for in all that time our affairs have made but scant headway. But now, you see, my Oribases,—now that I have a fresh enterprise in view——

Ah! Maximus!

Maximus.

[Entering from the plain.] The army is already on the march, sire; get to horse!

Julian.

The auguries—the auguries?

Maximus.

Oh—the auguries! Ask not about the auguries.

Julian.

Speak! I demand to know what they say.

Maximus.

All auguries are silent.

Julian.

Silent?

Maximus.

I went to the priests; the entrails of the sacrifices gave no sign. I went to the Etruscan jugglers; the flight and cries of the birds said nothing. I went also to the Magians; their writings had no answer to give. And I myself——

Julian.

You yourself, my Maximus?

Maximus.

Now I can tell you. Last night I studied the aspect of the stars. They told me nothing, Julian.

Julian.

Nothing.—Silence—silence, as though in an eclipse. Alone! No longer any bridge between me and the spirits.

Where are you now, oh white-sailed fleet, that sped to and fro in the sunlight and carried tidings between earth and heaven?

The fleet is burnt. That fleet too is burnt. Oh all my shining ships.

Tell me, Maximus—what do you believe as to this?

Maximus.

I believe in you.

Julian.

Yes, yes—believe!

Maximus.

The world-will has resigned its power into your hands; therefore it is silent.

Julian.

So will we read it. And we must act accordingly,—although we might have preferred that—— This silence! To stand so utterly alone.

But there are others who may also be said to stand almost alone. The Galileans. They have but one god; and one god is next thing to no god.

How is it, then, that we daily see these men——?

Anatolus.

[Who has meanwhile had the tent struck.] My Emperor, now must you get to horse; I dare not let you remain here longer.

Julian.

Yes, now I will mount. Where is my good Babylonius? See now; sword in hand——

Come, my dear friends!

[All go out to the right.

A marshy, wooded country. A dark, still lake among the trees. Watch-fires in the distance. Moonlight, with driving clouds.

Several soldiers on guard in the foreground.

Makrina and the Women.[Singing without, on the left.

Makrina and the Women.

[Singing without, on the left.

Woe to us! Woe!Upon us allGod’s wrath will fall!Death we shall know!

Woe to us! Woe!

Upon us all

God’s wrath will fall!

Death we shall know!

One of the Soldiers.

[Listening.] Hark! Do you hear? The Galilean women are singing over yonder.

Another Soldier.

They sing like owls and night ravens.

A third Soldier.

Yet would I willingly be with them. ’Tis saferwith the Galileans than with us. The God of the Galileans is stronger than our gods.

The first Soldier.

The thing is that the Emperor has angered the gods. How could he think of setting himself up in their place?

The third Soldier.

What is worse is that he has angered the Galileans’ God. Have you not heard, they say positively that, a few nights since, he and his magician ripped open a pregnant woman, to read omens in her entrails?

The first Soldier.

Ay, but I do not believe it. At any rate, I am sure ’twas not a Greek woman; it must have been a barbarian.

The third Soldier.

They say the Galileans’ God cares for the barbarians too; and if so, ’twill be the worse for us.

The second Soldier.

Oh, pooh—the Emperor is a great soldier.

The first Soldier.

They say King Sapor is a great soldier too.

The second Soldier.

Think you we have the whole Persian army before us?

The first Soldier.

Some say ’tis only the advance-guard; no one knows for certain.

The third Soldier.

I would I were among the Galileans.

The first Soldier.

Areyougoing over to them, too?

The third Soldier.

So many are going over. In the last few days——

The first Soldier.

[Calling out into the darkness.] Halt—halt! Who goes there?

A Voice.

Friends from the outposts!

[Several soldiers come from among the trees, withAgathonthe Cappadocian in their midst.

The second Soldier.

Ho-ho; a deserter.

One of the New-comers.

No; he has gone out of his mind.

Agathon.

I havenotgone out of my mind. Oh, for God’s great mercy’s sake,—let me go!

The Soldier from the Outposts.

He says he wants to slay a beast with seven heads.

Agathon.

Yes, yes, yes, I will, I will. Oh, let me go! See you this spear? Know you what spear it is?With this spear will I slay the beast with seven heads, and then I shall get back my soul again. Christ himself has promised me that. He was with me to-night.

The first Soldier.

Hunger and weariness have turned his brain.

One of the New-comers.

To the camp with him; there he can sleep his weariness away.

Agathon.

Let me go! Oh, if you but knew what spear this is!

[The soldiers lead him off by the front, to the right.

The third Soldier.

What could he mean by that beast?

The first Soldier.

That is one of the Galilean secrets. They have many such secrets among them.

[EutheriusandOribasesenter hastily from the right, looking anxiously about.

Eutherius.

Do you not see him?

Oribases.

No.—Ah, soldiers!—Tell me, good friends, has any one passed by here?

The first Soldier.

Yes, a detachment of spearmen.

Oribases.

Good, good! But nobody else? No great person? None of the generals?

The Soldiers.

No, none.

Oribases.

Not here then! Oh, Eutherius, how could you——?

Eutherius.

Could I help——? Could I help it——? I have not closed my old eyes for three nights——

Oribases.

[To the soldiers.] You must help us to search. I demand it in the name of the general-in-chief. Spread yourselves among the trees; and should you find any great person, report it at the watch-fire yonder.

The Soldiers.

We will not fail, sir!

[They all go out by different ways, to the left. Soon after, theEmperoremerges from behind a tree on the right. He listens, looks round, and beckons to some one behind him.

Julian.

Hist! Come forward, Maximus! They did not see us.

Maximus.

[From the same side.] Oribases was one of them.

Julian.

Yes, yes; both he and Eutherius keep watch on me. They imagine that—— Has neither of them told you aught?

Maximus.

No, my Julian! But why have you awakened me? What would you here in the darkness?

Julian.

I would be alone with you for the last time, my beloved teacher!

Maximus.

Not for the last time, Julian!

Julian.

See that dark water. Think you—if I utterly vanished from the earth, and my body was never found, and none knew what had become of me,—think you the report would spread abroad that Hermes had come for me, and carried me away, and that I had been exalted to the fellowship of the gods?

Maximus.

The time is at hand when men will not need to die, in order to live as gods on the earth.

Julian.

I am pining with home-sickness, Maximus,—with home-sick longing for the light and the sun and all the stars.

Maximus.

Oh, I beseech you—think not of sorrowful things. The Persian army is before you. To-morrowwill come the battle. You will conquer——

Julian.

I—conquer? You do not know who was with me an hour ago.

Maximus.

Who was with you?

Julian.

I had fallen asleep on my couch in the tent. Suddenly I was awakened by a strong red glare, that seemed to burn through my closed eye-lids. I looked up and beheld a figure standing in the tent. Over its head was a long drapery, falling on both sides, so as to leave the face free.

Maximus.

Knew you this figure?

Julian.

It was the same face which I saw in the light that night at Ephesus, many years ago,—that night when we held symposium with the two others.

Maximus.

The spirit of the empire.

Julian.

Since then it has appeared to me once in Gaul,—on an occasion I would fain forget.

Maximus.

Did it speak?

Julian.

No. It seemed as though it wished to speak; but it did not. It stood motionless, looking at me. Its face was pale and distorted. Suddenly, with both arms, it drew the drapery together over its head, hid its face, and went straight out through the tent-wall.

Maximus.

The decisive hour is at hand.

Julian.

Ay, truly, ’tis at hand.

Maximus.

Courage, Julian! He who wills, conquers.

Julian.

And what does the conqueror win? Is it worth while to conquer? What has the Macedonian Alexander, what has Julius Caesar won? Greeks and Romans talk of their renown with cold admiration,—while the other, the Galilean, the carpenter’s son, sits throned as the king of love in the warm, believing hearts of men.

Where is he now?—Has he been at work elsewhere since that happened at Golgotha?

I dreamed of him lately. I dreamed that I had subdued the whole world. I ordained that the memory of the Galilean should be rooted out on earth; and it was rooted out.—Then the spirits came and ministered to me, and bound wings on my shoulders, and I soared aloft into infinite space, till my feet rested on another world.

Itwasanother world than mine. Its curve wasvaster, its light more golden, and many moons circled around it.

Then I looked down at my own earth—the Emperor’s earth, which I had made Galileanless—and I thought that all that I had done was very good.

But behold, my Maximus,—there came a procession by me, on the strange earth where I stood. There were soldiers, and judges, and executioners at the head of it, and weeping women followed. And lo!—in the midst of the slow-moving array, was the Galilean, alive, and bearing a cross on his back. Then I called to him, and said, “Whither away, Galilean?” But he turned his face toward me, smiled, nodded slowly, and said: “To the place of the skull.”

Where is he now? What ifthatat Golgotha, near Jerusalem, was but a wayside matter, a thing done, as it were, in passing, in a leisure hour? What if he goes on and on, and suffers, and dies, and conquers, again and again, from world to world?

Oh that I could lay waste the world! Maximus,—is there no poison, no consuming fire, that could lay creation desolate, as it was on that day when the spirit moved alone over the face of the waters?

Maximus.

I hear a noise from the outposts. Come, Julian——

Julian.

To think that century shall follow century, and that in them all shall live men, knowing that ’twas I who was vanquished, and he who conquered!Iwillnot be vanquished! I am young; I am invulnerable,—the third empire is at hand——

[With a great cry.

There he stands!

Maximus.

Who? Where?

Julian.

Do you see him? There, among the tree-stems—in a crown and a purple robe——

Maximus.

’Tis the moon glimmering on the water. Come—come, my Julian!

Julian.

[Going threateningly towards the vision.] Avaunt! Thou art dead! Thy empire is past. Off with the juggler’s cloak, carpenter’s son!

What dost thou there? At what art thou hammering?—Ah!

Eutherius.

[From the left.] All gods be praised!—Oribases,—here, here!

Julian.

What has become of him?

Oribases.

[From the left.] Is he here?

Eutherius.

Yes.—Oh my beloved Emperor!

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